New Mahindra XUV500 or Hyundai Creta Facelift: Who should buy what?

The Mahindra XUV500 is the most premium SUV on sale by the brand in India. The XUV500 is the best-seller in its segment, and for many, the most preferred SUV under Rs. 20 lakhs budget. Mahindra launched the original XUV500 back in 2011 and ever since, the SUV has been on top of sales charts of the brand. On the other hand, the Hyundai Creta is the best-selling compact SUV under Rs. 20 lakhs budget. People often compare Hyundai Creta and Mahindra XUV500 when it comes to buying an SUV in the sub-20 lakhs segment. We compare both of the best-sellers in their segment, and give you a picture of who should buy what!

Those seeking value-for-money – XUV500

The Mahindra XUV500 is a full-sized SUV while Hyundai Creta is a monocoque chassis-based compact SUV. The XUV500 offers a 7-seater option to its customers while, the Hyundai Creta offers comfortable seating for 5 people. The Creta is priced from Rs. 9.44 lakhs (ex-showroom) for the base model, while the top-end variants cost Rs. 15.04 lakhs (ex-showroom). On the other hand, the XUV is priced at Rs. 12.56 lakhs (ex-showroom) for the entry level variant, while the top-end trims are priced at Rs. 19.26 lakhs (ex-showroom).

The XUV offers more features and space for the price. It gets a 3^rd row of seats which can easily accommodate two adults. It is also sold with an AWD option, which is not available with the Hyundai Creta. Both the vehicles get some similar features like automatic transmission on petrol and diesel variants, leather seats, sunroof, 6 airbags and touchscreen infotainment with navigation.

Those who want outright performance – Creta

The Mahindra XUV500 is now offered with a more powerful diesel engine. The 2.2-litre mHawk diesel engine now has higher outputs of 153 Bhp and 360 Nm. The petrol variant of the XUV500 gets a 2.2-litre unit which generates a maximum power of 138 Bhp and 320 Nm of peak torque. The petrol variant is only offered with a 6-speed automatic transmission, while the diesel variants get both manual and automatic transmission options.

The Hyundai Creta also gets petrol and diesel variants, with two engine options in diesel trims. The diesel variants get two engine options – a 1.4-litre diesel engine which produces 89 Bhp power and 220 Nm of torque and comes paired with a manual gearbox. The bigger 1.6-litre diesel engine is more powerful with a power output of 126 Bhp and 260 Nm of peak torque and gets 6-speed manual or automatic transmission options. The Creta in petrol variant only gets a 1.6-liter engine which churns out 121 Bhp of power and 151 Nm of peak torque paired with 6-speed manual or automatic gearbox options. Between the XUV500 and Creta the latter gets the weight advantage and is faster off the line.

Those who want an SUV with off-road capability – XUV500

The Creta comes with a front wheel drive system, and Hyundai does not offer AWD on this SUV even as an option. The XUV500, on the other hand, gets front wheel drive and all-drive systems. In the all wheel drive configuration, the XUV500 offers decent off-road capabilities and can tackle difficult terrains with more ease than the Creta. The XUV500 therefore proves to be the ideal choice for people who want an SUV with off-road capabilities out of the two choices.

Those who want something compact yet feature-rich – Creta

The XUV looks massive when compared to the Hyundai Creta in size. The Creta has an urban SUV design while the XUV500 offers a more rugged look. The XUV500 gets a massive chrome grille and LED DRLs in front which give it that unique look.

The Creta looks somewhat sober in terms of design when compared to the XUV. The XUV500 is massive and measures 4585 mm in length, 1890 mm in width, 1785 mm in height against the Creta, which only measures 4270 mm in length, 1780 mm in width and 1630 mm in height. The XUV500 offers greater ground clearance than the Creta and offers great water wading capacity.

The XUV is the pick if you are looking for a 7-seater SUV with premium features, off-road capabilities and an AWD system. The Creta is the choice for those who want a feature-rich, fast compact SUV but don’t have the budget for an XUV500.